Battle of Franklin

Take a virtual tour of the historic American Civil War sites in Franklin, Tennessee. Shot on location at The Carter House, Cotton Gin, Fort Granger, Winstead Hill and Carnton Plantation.

Note: get the full screen mode by clicking the icon in the lower left of the video frame. A zoom option is available also for reading the historical signage. Some markers are embedded in the floating icons.

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The new Battle of Franklin interpretive park

1221-1235 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064

Battle of Franklin: November 30, 1864

Complete with three replica 3-inch Ordinance rifles and 6 new interpretive signs, Franklin increases the amount of reclaimed battlefield. More than 20 acres now make up Carter Hill Battlefield Park, which continues to expand. The signage also includes extensive details on the Williamson County African American experience during the American Civil War.

Parking is not available on the site, but Carter’s Court and the Carter House are right next door and across the street.

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Franklin Civil War Hospital and Barracks

Oldest Episcopal Church in Tennessee

510 West Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
615-790-0527

“St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was founded on August 27, 1827 in a room of the Hiram Masonic Lodge #7 in Franklin, Tennessee. The church edifice was not started until 1831 and when completed in 1834 it was called a “three-decker” building which included the nave, slave galleries, and undercroft.

When the War Between the States commenced the church closed its doors and the rector of St. Paul’s resigned and joined the Confederate Army of Tennessee. In February of 1862 with the fall of Ft. Donelson, Franklin became occupied by Union soldiers who used the church as a barracks. Being winter, the pews and pipe organ were burned for firewood. The interior columns were damaged to build watering troughs for the horses and this evidence is still visible today. The fair linen became saddlecloths for the commanders’ horses. Fortunately, the altar silver and Parish Register were saved—but only because they had been buried across the street.

Following the bloody Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864, St. Paul’s was used as a hospital for wounded troops—first by the Federals and then later by the Confederates. When it was all over, nothing much more than the thick walls were left intact.

After the war, the church was used as a carpenter’s shop and a stable for horses! It was rat-infested in 1869 when Reverend Bradley from Memphis made plans to restore the sacred place. He went across the country collecting donations and returned with nearly $2,000 in gold (a small fortune for the day). The back taxes now having been paid, the roof was lowered as they removed the slave galleries that were no longer needed and the bricks were recycled to build Founder’s Hall behind the church to be used as a rectory for the priest’s family. St. Paul’s was re-consecrated in 1871 by Bishop Charles Todd Quintard who succeeded Bishop Otey, who had died during the war. Later, in 1902, the church won a lawsuit against the United States government for damages sustained during the Civil War and was awarded a judgment of nearly $2,000”… read more about St. Paul’s

Virtual 360º Perspective

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“Old Blizzards”

Hero of 4 wars – Fought under 3 flags:

I have been to St. Augstine, Florida dozens of times, but exploring the Plaza de la Constitución with my son last week, I stumbled across the memorial to Floridian General W.W. Loring. This site on the St. Augustine town square, is also where he is interred.

Some amazing statistics on Floridian Loring:

Florida Militia 1st Seminole Indian War

Texas War for Independence

2nd Seminole War

Florida bar in 1842

Florida House of RepresentativesLoring Pasha as a general in the Khedivate of Egypt

Carter Cotton Gin Virtual Tour:

Update: 17 JULY 2017

The new Franklin City Park completed with ADA accessible paved access path. There is no street parking, but easily accessible form the Carter House or Carter’s Court.

A virtual tour of the Carter Cotton Gin site and the Patrick Cleburne Monument from the American Civil War Battle of Franklin. The tour also includes the “Loring’s Advance” property on Meadowlawn Drive and Collin’s Farm on the Lewisburg Pike. The Loring’s Advance video features Eric Jacobson on the 6th tour stop (the video may take a moment to load). For a full screen view, click on the icon in the lower left of the screen. Links to the Carter House, Carnton, Fort Granger and Winstead Hill virtual tours.

Note: get the virtual tour full screen experience by clicking the icon in the lower left of the video frame. A zoom option is available also for reading the historical signage. Some markers are embedded in the floating icons.

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Suggested Reading:

If Franklin can reclaim battlefield property, so can Nashville. Please sign the petition below to support reclaiming the park property at historic Fort Negley.